IVF for Obstructed Fallopian Tubes
During ovulation, an egg is release from a woman’s ovaries. It travels to the fallopian tubes where it awaits fertilization. Once fertilized, the egg travels to the uterus where it implants and develops, resulting in pregnancy. If you suffer from blocked fallopian tubes, however, this process faces a number of hurdles. Thankfully, Los Angeles, CA fertility specialists Dr. Marc Kalan and Dr. Nurit Winkler can help.
The team at Los Angeles Reproductive Center would like to consider the basics of fallopian tube blockages. We’ll then show how in vitro fertilization (IVF) can address female infertility issues, leading to pregnancy and live birth.
Why Blocked Fallopian Tubes Cause Female Infertility
When the fallopian tubes are blocked, it leads to two separate difficulties when it comes to getting pregnant:
- The sperm cannot reach the egg
- The fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus
It can be difficult to get pregnant because of fallopian tube blockages. Worse, a blocked fallopian tube can lead to an ectopic pregnancy, which means the fertilized egg develops outside of the uterus. If not treated, an ectopic pregnancy can result in a miscarriage and could be life-threatening to the mother.
Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Blocked fallopian tubes may be the result of the following:
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Past abdominal injury
- Past abdominal surgery
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
How IVF Works
IVF is an assisted-reproduction procedure in which an egg is fertilized in a lab setting and then implanted into uterus to be carried to term. The procedure is an effective option for addressing female, male, and mixed infertility.
IVF Helps Address Blocked Fallopian Tubes
IVF is ideal for people with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes since the eggs are fertilized in a lab and then transferred into the uterus. The fallopian tubes are completely bypassed. This ensures that the sperm can fertilize an egg unimpeded, and that an egg can implant and develop in the uterus as it’s supposed to.
IVF vs. Surgical Treatment on the Fallopian Tubes
In some cases, it may be a better option to surgically repair the fallopian tubes. If the blockage of the fallopian tubes is the result of small amount of scar tissue or tiny adhesions, laparoscopic surgery may be all that’s required to treat infertility. Major adhesions or large amounts of scar tissue, however, may not be removable even with multiple surgeries.
Is IVF Right for Me?
The best way to find out if IVF is the right option for you infertility issues is to meet with our team of fertility specialists for a consultation. We can assess your situation and go over all options available to improve fertility and help you achieve your family goals.
Learn More About IVF
For more information about IVF and how it may be beneficial to you and your family goals, be sure to contact the doctors at Los Angeles Reproductive Center. You can reach our Los Angeles and Encino offices by phone at (818) 208-5481, our Thousand Oaks office at (805) 427-2959, and our Bakersfield office at (661) 889-5173.